Abstract
Acrylic/ZnO hybrid latexes were synthesized through a two-step emulsion polymerization process. First, a hybrid seed was synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization, which contained all the hydrophobically modified ZnO nanoparticles. Subsequently, this hybrid seed was employed in a seeded semibatch emulsion copolymerization yielding high solids content hybrid latexes (40wt%). Cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) demonstrated that the dispersion of the ZnO nanoparticles in the initial miniemulsion was not homogeneous, which led to a hybrid seed with two populations, polymer particles containing ZnO and pristine polymer particles. After the second step of polymerization barely the same morphology was obtained. Nevertheless, it was proved by electron tomography (3D-TEM) that the ZnO nanoparticles were encapsulated in the polymer particles. The hybrid films containing ZnO presented a superior UV absorption capacity than their counterpart hybrid acrylic/CeO2 prepared following the same strategy.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
